Articulable projecting plug

ABSTRACT

An articulable projecting plug is disclosed that provides for interchangeable mechanical connection between one of several electronic-signal ports such as video-signal ports, and housing/support structure associated with an electronic device such as a flat-screen television. The plug also accommodates video communication between a video-signal source and such television. The plug includes joining structure constructed to bring the plug into contact with the port and hold them both in such joined relationship. The joining structure includes an outer surface and holder structure for holding the first end of an elongate conductor so that joinder of the plug with the port will also result in contact between such first end and the port. The plug also includes an elongate projecting member terminating with first and second ends, with the first end being operatively connected to the joining structure so that the projecting elongate member extends from it and away from the port. A pivot is provided so that the projecting member is articulable in a pivot plane. The projecting member also includes a connector located adjacent its second end for fastening to such housing/support structure of the electronic device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/799,617 filed Feb. 11,1997 for an ARTICULABLE PROJECTING PLUG, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,997,which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/636,172 filed Apr.22, 1996 for an ARTICULABLE PROJECTING PLUG, now U.S. Pat. No.5,611,513, (which is a file wrapper continuation of application Ser. No.08/173,799 filed Dec. 20, 1993 for an ARTICULABLE PROJECTING PLUG, nowabandoned, which is a continuation in part of of application Ser. No.07/829,728, filed Jan. 31, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,590, whichissued on Dec. 21, 1993 for an ARTICULABLE PROJECTING PLUG. The subjectmatter of these applications and patents are incorporated herein by thisreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electronic/mechanicalconnections between an electronic device and an electronic-signalsource, and more particularly to an articulable projecting plug formaking such connections between such a device and source.

It is desirable for the user of an electronic device that includes amonitor to be able to position selectively the monitor for comfortableviewing angles. Such electronic device may be any of various devicesincluding televisions or computer monitors. When using such a device,the user is normally sitting in a room or some other type of enclosureor compartment. For example, other enclosures may include the cockpit orpassenger area of an airplane.

Conventional televisions and computer monitors are usually positioned inpreset positions relative to the viewer. Certain conventional systemsinclude a stand on which to place the monitor/television. For theremainder of this description, monitor/television will be referred tosimply as a monitor, and it should be understood that by monitorapplicant refers to any type of device for displaying audio/visual orvisual information to a viewer.

Prior art proposals involving stands for the monitor provide for acertain amount of adjustability including a swivel mechanism or a tiltfeature. However, the stand-based systems are designed for use inrelatively stationary settings where there is room to place the monitoron a stand, with the stand usually being placed on a desk or table.

For applications where it is impractical or impossible to use a standand desk/table, the prior art is lacking a device whereby the monitormay be supported and selectively movable to positions providing improvedviewing for individual viewers. There is an increasing need for such acapability because of the greater awareness and focus on ergonomics,which is also known as human engineering or human-factors engineering.Essentially, ergonomics is an applied science that coordinates thedesign of devices and physical working/use conditions with thecapacities and requirements of the user.

Focusing on the aforementioned aircraft setting, the physical conditionsof the passenger area do not provide a lot of room for movement by thepassenger, or for auxiliary furniture such as desks, tables and otherplatforms. Similarly, pilots and other airline-support personnel occupywork areas such as the cockpit which present spaces which are equally,if not more, cramped with minimal room for performing their duties.

In the aircraft setting, such monitors are used by pilots and supportpersonnel in the cockpit and work areas, as well as by passengers in thepassenger area. Usually such monitors are fixedly mounted in theinterior structure of the aircraft and therefore suffer from thedrawback of not being adjustable for individual viewers. In other words,these prior art systems are not ergonomically correct for a wide varietyof users.

With respect to the mounting of monitors in the aircraft-passenger area,U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,980 to Steventon et al. proposes a relativelycomplicated system of mounting television receiver modules in the backof an aircraft passenger seat, such as within the headrest portion ofthe seat, with the television screen facing backward for viewing by apassenger sitting in the seat immediately behind such headrest.Steventon et al. note that the television screen can be angularlyoriented within the chassis at a selected tilt angle which is generallycomplimentary to the average reclined angle of such passenger seats.Problems with the proposal in Steventon et al. include that thetelevision receiver modules are mounted in a preset, fixed positionwithout allowing for adjustment by individual passengers. In addition,while the receiver modules are removable, the removing procedure issomewhat complicated by multiple plugs, thereby requiring a two-handedmounting operation.

Similar to the limitations of the mounting system in Steventon et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,996 to Vottero-Fin et al. discloses an automotiveseating system that includes an armrest of a front seat with an openback end in which is placed a television set. The television screen isviewable by passengers seated in a backseat when the armrest is swung toan operating position that makes the armrest's back end visible to suchpassengers. The television set is fixedly attached in the armrest andassociated mounting members do not allow for selective adjustment of itfor improved viewing.

In addition to their drawbacks from an ergonomic point of view, priorart mounting systems like those disclosed in Steventon et al. andVottero-Fin et al. also fail to provide for multiple positioning of amonitor within a viewing area. These conventional systems are fixedlyattached to a specific port and are not easily withdrawn from one portfor placement in another.

In settings like the above-mentioned aircraft-passenger area it isdesirable to have monitor mounting systems designed so that a givenmonitor may be plugged into any one of multiple ports located within thepassenger area. By using such a mounting system with the recentlydeveloped, relatively small flat-screen televisions, airline companiescould offer customers an optional, individual television service.Suitable ports could be installed adjacent each passenger seat andairline employees could hand out such televisions with correspondingmounting systems to customers on a fee basis. Such a television servicecould be provided in the same way that airlines presently offer audioservice by handing out headphones to customers who can use them byinserting them in a jack provided in their seat.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide amonitor-mounting device that connects a monitor to an electronic-signalsource and can be adjusted so that the user may position selectively themonitor for ergonomically correct viewing.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a devicethat enables one-handed connecting of the monitor to theelectronic-signal source and provides for mounting of the monitoradjacent an electronic-signal port.

A further object is to provide such a device that is easily connectableto multiple ports so that a monitor placed on such device may be usedinterchangeably in any one of the ports.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such a device that canbe easily and cost-effectively manufactured.

A still further object is to provide such a device that is easilyconvertible for mounting on either the right or left side of a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention achieves the above objects by providing an articulableprojecting plug that makes a mechanical connection between an electronicsignal port and housing/support structure associated with an electronicdevice, and accommodates electronic communication between a signalsource and such device by establishing contact between a first end of aconductor that is connectable with such a device and such port. The plugincludes a joining member structured to bring the plug into contact withthe port and hold them both in such joined relationship. The joiningmember includes an outer surface and holder structure for holding thefirst end of such elongate conductor structure so that joinder of theplug with the port will also result in contact between such first endand the port.

The plug also includes an elongate projecting member terminating withfirst and second ends, with the first end being operatively connected tothe joining member so that the projecting member extends from it andaway from the port. A pivot is provided so that the elongate projectingmember is articulable in a pivot plane. The projecting member alsoincludes a connector located adjacent its second end for fastening tosuch housing/support structure of the electronic device.

In a preferred embodiment the plug includes a receptacle mountedadjacent the port for receiving the joining member. The receptacle alsoincludes a locking mechanism allowing for one-handed connection of thejoining member with the receptacle. The pivot is disposed between thejoining member and the elongate projecting member.

These and additional objects and advantages of the present inventionwill be more readily understood after a consideration of the drawingsand the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the invention in a partially open,articulated position holding a flat-screen television, and in anunjoined position with the receptacle which is located in the arm of anaircraft seat.

FIG. 2 is like FIG. 1 except that the invention has been pivoted in thepivot plane to a closed position and is joined with the receptacle.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the receptacle showing the video-signal port andthe locking mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the receptacle.

FIG. 5A is a side sectional view along line 5--5 of FIGS. 3 and 4showing portions of the locking mechanism with the mechanism in a lockedposition.

FIG. 5B is like 5A except that the locking mechanism is in an unlockedposition.

FIG. 6A is a side sectional view along line 6--6 of FIGS. 3 and 4showing the joining member in the receptacle with the locking mechanismin a locked position.

FIG. 6B is like FIG. 6A except that the locking mechanism is in anunlocked position and the joining member is being removed from thereceptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the articulableprojecting plug of the present invention at 10 for holding a monitorsuch as a flat-screen television, a fragmentary section of which isshown by dashed lines 11. The term monitor is meant to refer to anydisplay for an electronic or avionic device which is capable ofdisplaying audio/visual or visual information. Plug 10 includes joiningstructure 12 constructed to bring the plug into contact with anelectronic/video port such as jack 14 (FIG. 3) and hold them both in ajoined relationship like that shown at 16 in FIG. 2.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, joining structure 12 includes an outersurface 18 in which a recess 20 is formed for use in connection with ato-be-described locking mechanism for holding releasably joiningstructure 12 in a space 22 defined by a receptacle 24. For futurereference, the reader should note that joining structure 12 includessloping edge 12a and curved edge 12b, the significance of which willbecome apparent after referring to the description of the lockingmechanism provided below. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, receptacle 24 isplaced in an open hole of an arm 26 of an aircraft seat (undepicted).Receptacle 24 is operatively connected to a frame member 26a.Preferably, the receptacle is fixedly positioned so that it is flushwith the top surface of arm 26 and it may be covered with a suitablehinged cover (undepicted). It should be understood that receptacle 24could be positioned in any interior wall or other structure adjacent theviewing area, and could be pivotably mounted to the structure.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 6A-6B, joining structure 12 includes a leadend 28 which is joinable with jack 14 and encloses a first end 32a(FIGS. 6A-6B) of conductor 32. Joining structure 12 also includes holderstructure 34 for holding first end 32a so that joinder of plug 10 withjack 14 by placing it into space 22 of receptacle 24 will result incontact between first end 32a and jack 14.

Referring to the left of joining structure 12 in FIG. 1, plug 10 alsoincludes elongate projecting structure 36 with first and second ends38a, b. First end 38a is pivotedly connected to joining structure 12using suitable means. For example, end 38a may be formed with arcuatearms 40a, b which are fittable around a bearing 42 which is rotatablypositioned in the end of joining structure 12 that is opposite lead end28. Arms 40a, b may be tightened around bearing 42 by actuating afastener such as turning an allen screw 43 (FIGS. 6A-6B) which ispositioned in a hole 44 formed in arm 40a and extendable into a threadedbore (undepicted) formed in arm 40b.

Still referring to FIG. 1, projecting structure 36 is articulablebidirectionally, as shown by arrows at 46, preferably in a pivot planethat is substantially normal to the long axis joining structure 12. Itshould be understood that modifications to the pivotable connectionbetween the airplane, receptacle 24, projecting structure 36 and joiningstructure 12 would make it possible to select a variety of pivot planesand it is by no means a requirement of the invention that the pivotplane be substantially normal to the long axis of joining structure 12,nor that joining structure 12 pivot relative to projecting structure 36.

Referring to the left side of projecting structure 36 in FIG. 1, secondend 38b is provided with a connector such as a bearing 48 which isrotatably positionable in it. The top of bearing 48 is rotatablypositionable in a suitable hole formed in housing/support structure 50.Housing/support structure 50 may be thought of as being part ofprojecting structure 36 so that projecting structure 36 could be said toinclude a first elongate projecting member 52 and a second elongateprojecting member 54. Second projecting member 54 includes a connectorfor attaching to upright support structure 56 and such a connector maytake the form of one or more screws, two of which are shown at 58 inFIG. 1.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, upright support structure 56 ispreferably formed with two upright arms 60a, b and a tilt bracket 62opposite ends of which are pivotably attached to the upright arms usingsuitable means such as bearings, one of which is shown at 64. Thebearings are attachable to bracket 62 using suitable fasteners such asscrews 66, and are attachable to arms 60a, b using fasteners such asallen screw 67 (FIG. 2).

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the present invention that isdesigned for mounting on the right side of a user. However, it should beunderstood that plug 10 could be easily converted for left-side mountingby simply detaching bracket 62 from arms 60a, b, turning it 180°, andreattaching it to the arms.

Still referring to FIG. 1, tilt bracket 62 is pivotable selectively in aplane different from the pivot plane to allow the user to selectivelyadjust, or tilt, the monitor for improved, preferably ergonomicallycorrect viewing.

Referring back to FIG. 1, preferably conductor 32 is positionable insideplug 10 with first end 32a held by holder structure 34 and its secondend 32b projecting out of projecting structure 36 for connection totelevision 11. (In FIG. 2, second end 32b is shown oriented generallyfor such connection, with end 32b being freely movable to make suchconnection with television 11 (not shown in FIG. 2), as between bracket62 and member 54). Such positioning is made possible by forming an openchannel in both joining structure 12 (see conductor 32 placed in suchchannel in FIGS. 6A-6B) and in projecting structure 36 (see conductor 32in such channel in FIG. 1 and exiting such channel in FIG. 2).

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6B, a locking mechanism for releasably lockingjoining structure 12 in receptacle 24 will now be discussed. Thepreferred locking mechanism is shown generally at 68 and includes alaterally disposed bar 70 that is formed with a protrusion 72 whichextends into space 22. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, bar 70 is positionablein an open section 74 formed in receptacle 24. Bar 70 is also formedwith an opening 76 for receiving a wedge 78 that extends downwardlyfrom, and is attached to, a pushbutton 80. As perhaps best shown in FIG.3, push-button 80 is fitted with three vertical-aligner pins 81 thatextend laterally into vertical tracks, two of which are shown by dashedlines 82 in FIG. 1, formed in receptacle 24. The pins are received inthe tracks to ensure that the pushbutton will move only vertically.

The reader can understand the locking mechanism by first viewingprotrusion 72 extending into space 22 as shown in FIGS. 3-4, and thenviewing recess 20 in outer surface 18 of joining structure 12 as shownin FIG. 1. Next, referring to FIG. 6A, there is shown protrusion 72 in afirst position blocking upward movement of joining structure 12.Protrusion 72 is movable to this first position by inserting joiningstructure 12 into receptacle 24 with sloping edge 12a glidably movingalong angled surface 72a. Because bar 70 (and thus protrusion 72) isspring-loaded with respect to horizontal movement in open section 74 ofreceptacle 24, downward movement of joining member 12 will cause glidingmovement between sloping edge 12a and angled edge 72a. Such glidingmovement will cause bar 70 to move laterally against spring-loadedtension until joining structure 12 is inserted completely into space 22.At this point, which is depicted in FIG. 6A, sloping edge 12a will bepositioned below angled surface 72a, which allows protrusion 72 (and bar70) to spring laterally into curved edge 12b. With protrusion 72 movableto the first position shown in FIG. 6A, joining structure 12 is lockedin receptacle 24 because the protrusion prevents upward movement of thejoining structure out of the receptacle.

Referring to FIGS. 5B-6B, it will be understood that the lockingmechanism may be unlocked by pushing down on pushbutton 80. Whenpushbutton 80 is pushed down, wedge 78 will force bar 70 to movelaterally such as to the right in open section 74 as shown in FIG. 5B.Referring to FIG. 6B, such movement of bar 70 will cause protrusion 72to move to the right in the direction of arrow 88, thereby allowingjoining structure 12 to be moved upwardly in the direction of arrow 90.Such upward movement is possible because protrusion 72 will no longer bein the first position shown in FIG. 6A, but will instead be in thesecond position shown in FIG. 6B where it is out of blocking positionwith curved edge 12b of joining structure 12.

Operation

From the above description, and referring to FIG. 1, it should beapparent that articulable projecting plug 10 of the present invention isusable to make a mechanical connection between an electronic-signal portsuch as jack 14 and housing/support structure 50 which is associatedwith an electronic/avionic device such as television 11. Plug 10 alsoaccommodates electronic communication between a signal source(undepicted) and television 11 by establishing contact between first end32a of conductor 32 and jack 14, with conductor 32 being connectable viaits second end 32b to television 11.

Still referring to FIG. 1, once mechanical connection is made andelectronic communication exists between the source and television 11,plug 10 is articulable in the direction of arrows 46 in a pivot plane.The user can also move television 11 in a plane that is different fromthe pivot plane by moving tilt bracket 62 in the direction of arrows 92in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 and 5A-6A, the user locks plug 10 in receptacle24 by inserting joining structure 12 into space 22. Referring to FIG.6A, such movement causes protrusion 72 of bar 70 (FIG. 5A) to move to afirst position blocking upward movement of sloping edge 12a thusblocking upward movement of joining structure 12.

Referring to FIGS. 5B and 6B, the user unlocks plug 10 from receptacle24 by pushing downwardly on pushbutton 80 which causes wedge 78 to movedownwardly, thereby moving bar 70 laterally against spring-loadedtension. Such movement of bar 70 causes protrusion 72 to move to asecond position shown in FIG. 6B. The second position is out of blockingengagement with sloping edge 12a with the result being that joiningmember 12 can be moved upwardly and out of receptacle 24 in thedirection of arrow 90.

It should be appreciated that receptacles like receptacle 24 could beplaced in desired arms of aircraft-passenger seats (like arm 26) andplug 10 could be easily interchangeably mounted in any one of suchreceptacles to establish communication with an associated signal port(like jack 14). In this way, plug 10 could be used by airline companiesto offer individual television service to customers.

While the present invention has been shown and described with referenceto the foregoing preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that other changes in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An articulable projecting plug comprising:elongateprojecting structure having first and second ends, the second end of theprojecting structure being pivotally connected to a housing/supportstructure for supporting an electronic device; a mechanical connectorarrangement including joining structure and a receptacle with aperimeter which defines a hollow interior, the joining structure beingpivotally mounted on the first end of the projecting structure andhaving a protruding exterior which mates with the hollow interior of thereceptacle and is perimetrically engaged by the perimeter of thereceptacle to provide structural support for the projecting structure;and an electrical connector arrangement including a first part fixedrelative to the receptacle and a second part fixed relative to thejoining structure such that mating of the joining structure and thereceptacle of the mechanical connector arrangement effects mating of thefirst and second parts of the electrical connector arrangement.
 2. Theplug of claim 1, wherein the first part of the electrical connectorarrangement is disposed within the hollow interior of the receptacle andthe second part of the electrical connector is disposed on theprotruding exterior of the joining structure.
 3. An electronic devicesupport which allows a user to make a mechanical connection between adesired one of plural receptacles and an electronic device, and whichallows a user to make an electrical connection between an electronicsignal port of the desired receptacle and such electronic device, theelectronic device support comprising:joining structure including aprotuberance configured to mate with the desired receptacle to removablyjoin the electronic device support to the desired receptacle, theprotuberance being configured to mechanically support the electronicdevice support by such mating relationship between the protuberance andthe desired receptacle; elongate conductor structure having first andsecond ends, the first end of the conductor structure being connectableto the electronic device and the second end of the conductor structurebeing connectable to the electronic signal port, mating joinder of theprotuberance with the desired receptacle resulting in contact betweenthe first end of the conductor structure and the electronic signal port;elongate projecting structure terminating with first and second ends,the first end of the projecting structure being connected to the joiningstructure so that the projecting structure extends from it, and thesecond end of the projecting structure being configured for connectionto the electronic device; and a pivot disposed between the joiningstructure and the electronic device and operatively connected to theprojecting structure so that the projecting structure is articulable ina pivot plane to allow relative positioning between the electronicdevice and the user.
 4. The electronic device support of claim 3,wherein the protuberance is elongate, the protuberance being configuredto enclose the first end of the conductor structure.
 5. The electronicdevice support of claim 3, wherein the receptacle defines a perimeterwhich defines a hollow interior which encloses the electronic signalport.
 6. The electronic device support of claim 3, wherein the joiningstructure and projecting structure are each formed with an open channelextending along their length, and wherein the channels are aligned toprovide a passage for the conductor structure through the electronicdevice support, the conductor structure being positionable inside theelectronic device support with the first end thereof in a holderstructure of the joining structure, and the second end thereofconnecting to the electronic device.
 7. Articulable support/connectionapparatus operable by a user for supporting an electronic device andaccommodating communication between a signal source and such electronicdevice, the apparatus comprising:a receptacle with a perimeter whichdefines a hollow interior and a signal port positioned therein, thesignal port being fixed within the hollow interior and configured forconnection to the signal source; elongate conductor structure havingfirst and second ends, the first end of the conductor structure beingconfigured for connection to the signal port and the second end of theconductor structure being configured for connection to the electronicdevice; elongate projecting structure having first and second ends, thesecond end of the projecting structure being configured for pivotalconnection to the electronic device to mechanically support theelectronic device; joining structure connected to the first end of theprojecting structure and configured for releasable mechanical joiningwith the receptacle by insertion of the joining structure into thereceptacle such that the receptacle perimeter establishes mechanicalsupport for the projecting structure, the joining structure includingholder structure for holding the first end of such elongate conductorstructure fixed relative to the joining structure so that mechanicaljoinder of the joining structure with the receptacle will result inconnection between the first end of the conductor structure and thesignal port; and a pivot operatively connected to the projectingstructure and adapted to interpose the joining structure and theprojecting structure such that the projecting structure is articulablein a pivot plane to allow relative positioning between the electronicdevice and the user.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the joiningstructure and projecting structure are each formed with an open channel,the channels being aligned to provide a passage for the conductorstructure through the apparatus with the conductor structure beingpositionable within the open channel with the first end of the conductorstructure in the holder structure of the joining structure, and thesecond end of the conductor structure configured for connection to theelectronic device.
 9. An articulable projecting plug assembly whichallows a user to make a mechanical connection between a desired one ofplural receptacles and an electronic device, and which accommodateselectronic communication between a signal source and such electronicdevice via an electronic signal port enclosed by the receptacle, theassembly comprising:an elongate conductor having first and second ends,the second end of the conductor being connectable to the electronicdevice; joining structure including an elongate protuberance configuredto mechanically join with the desired receptacle and an outer surfaceconfigured to hold the joining structure and desired receptacle in suchjoined, placed relationship, the protuberance being configured toestablish a load-bearing structural support for the electronic device,and including a holder configured to hold the first end of the elongateconductor so that mechanical joinder of the protuberance with thedesired receptacle also will result in electrical connection between thefirst end of the conductor and the electronic signal port which isenclosed by the desired receptacle; and elongate projection structureterminating with first and second ends, the first end of the projectionstructure being pivotally connected to the joining structure so that theprojection structure extends from the joining structure, and isarticulable in a pivot plane to allow relative positioning between theelectronic device and the user, and where the projection includes aconnector located adjacent its second end for fastening to theelectronic device.
 10. The plug assembly of claim 9 wherein theprotuberance is elongate and generally tubular with a lead end thatjoins with the desired receptacle, and wherein the joining structure isstructured to enclose the first end of the conductor.
 11. The plugassembly of claim 9 wherein the joining structure and projectionstructure are each formed with an open channel extending along theirlength, and wherein the channels are aligned to provide a passage forthe conductor through the plug, the conductor being positionable insidethe plug with its first end in the holder of the joining structure, andits second end projecting out of the projection structure for connectionto the electronic device.
 12. The plug assembly of claim 9 wherein theprojection structure includes a first elongate projecting memberpivotally connected to the joining structure.
 13. The plug assembly ofclaim 12 wherein the projection structure includes a second elongateprojecting member pivotally connected to the first elongate projectingmember and including a connector for fastening to the electronic device.